Argentina

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 December 1976.

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Photo of Mr George Rodgers Mr George Rodgers , Chorley 12:00, 22 December 1976

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and the Argentine.

Photo of Mr George Rodgers Mr George Rodgers , Chorley

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is widespread concern about the reported ill treatment of religious and politically concerned groups in Argentina? Will he tell the House of any representations that have been made to the Argentine Government and whether any United Kingdom citizens have been involved?

Photo of Mr Ted Rowlands Mr Ted Rowlands Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

In recent months there have been a number of individual British citizens affected in one way or another. We have made every representation to the Argentine Government in individual British cases. As for the general position in Argentina, obviously the Argentine Government will be fully aware of the widespread international concern, which might, for example, have affected some of the decisions and actions that they have taken in respect of the Jehovah's Witnesses, a matter on which we have received a large number of letters from Members on both sides of the House. We have no direct locus. I understand that there is no individual British citizen involved in the case of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Photo of Mr Martin Flannery Mr Martin Flannery , Sheffield, Hillsborough

Does my hon. Friend accept that Argentina is seen by a large number of refugees from other countries in the South American orbit as a place of refuge, only to arrive there and, as in the case of the Whitelaw family, who were British nationals, to be murdered by some maverick Right-wing band? Will he therefore make every attempt to try to ensure that refugees from that country who apply to this country are given some sort of precedence to get them here in safety?

Photo of Mr Ted Rowlands Mr Ted Rowlands Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

I think that our record on political refugees from South America stands any comparison and is comparable with that of any other nation. We have done our best to help political refugees from South America.